Grandfather’s prayers
The author’s family Machzor, which was printed in Warsaw in 1913, was most likely owned by her grandfather. (photo by Shula Klinger) Growing up, I was never taken to shul. I never saw my parents pray, read religious texts or…
Op-Ed
Multiple membership models
Years ago, I briefly served on a synagogue board and did some research into membership dues. Some congregations had flat rates. Others had scales according to income or age. Others had no set dues, members gave according to what they…
Blood, tears and survival
When we think about Israel’s prominence now, with its population approaching 10 million, and its contributions in so many fields being far out of proportion to its size, it is sobering to recall its early beginnings, and its fragility, when…
If we forget, thee, Jerusalem
The Western Wall, Jerusalem, Israel. (photo from Wikimedia Commons) When I was a teenaged member of the Zionist youth group Young Judaea in Saskatchewan, we recited this pledge: “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand lose its…
The gift of sobriety
Pesach is approaching, and the connection to addiction is obvious – we were slaves in Egypt, we are slaves to substances and behaviours to our detriment. Sadly, we hear daily about the perils of addiction – certainly the news of…
Join rally to support Israeli democracy
The Vancouver action group UnXeptable has been rallying on Sundays, at noon, at Robson Square, as part of an international grassroots movement to save Israeli democracy. (photo from Daphna Kedem) We are a group of Israelis and Canadian Jews watching…
Rallying in Rishon Le-Tzion
Protesters in Rishon Le-Tzion Demonstrating against judicial reform February 25, 2023. (photo by Hayden) It was a valuable experience to attend a protest rally in Rishon Le-Tzion. Several hundred people gathered in a city square to express concerns about the…
Opposition to policies
In Tel Aviv on Jan. 28, Israelis demonstrate against their government’s judicial reform proposals. A majority of Canadian Jews also oppose the proposals. (photo by Oren Rozen) A new poll shows that most Canadian Jews oppose policies favoured by the…
Condemn Smotrich’s comments
Independent Jewish Voices Canada is calling for immediate action by the Canadian government in response to comments by a senior Israeli minister that the Palestinian town of Huwara should be “wiped out.” Speaking at a conference hosted by news publication…
Making room for compassion
I’ve been under stress lately. It’s the usual: money, household, family and work concerns. Some of it is my own doing: in our enthusiasm for extracurricular activities, I somehow managed to sign our twins up for three different weekly ones…
